You can’t get enough of the criminal justice field and have torn through every true crime podcast and Netflix documentary out there. If you’re like most people, the internet is the first place you turn when you’re interested in a topic and are eager to learn more.
There are plenty of informational blogs to take you even further in your love of criminal justice—almost too many. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best criminal justice blogs to follow in 2018 and beyond. You’ll find chilling tales of true crime, stay on top of the latest news in the criminal justice field and gain an insider’s perspective on what it’s really like to work in these careers.
22 Can’t-miss criminal justice blogs
If you’re in search of some worthwhile criminal justice blogs to keep you in the know, then look no further! This list is sure to satisfy all your cravings from the world of criminal justice.
Law enforcement blogs
Police Magazine blog: In partnership with Police Magazine, this blog covers everything law enforcement officers could want to know about. Post topics include the latest and greatest technology for officers, women in law enforcement and reviews of the newest models of police vehicles.
LAPD blog: Follow along with law enforcement officers from the Los Angeles area as they detail crime in the city, place requests for information on crimes and missing persons and post updates on past cases.
Cops Alive: Operated by the Law Enforcement Survival Institute, Cops Alive provides strategies and training designed to keep law enforcement officers safe on the job as well as happy and healthy at home.
Chicago Justice Project: Led by criminal justice professor and activist Tracy Siska, this blog provides data-driven analysis of crime and law enforcement responses in Chicago. By empowering the Chicago community with knowledge, the project hopes to inspire local criminal justice advocacy in cities across the nation.
Legal blogs
Lowering the Bar: Who says the law can’t be fun? Litigator Kevin Underhill keeps things light in this humorous blog about all things legal. Posts include tales of amusing courtroom absurdities like a lawyer’s pants being literally on fire during a closing argument and how the author of “How to Murder Your Husband” ended up being accused of—you guessed it—murdering her husband.
Matt Mangino: Former prosecutor and current criminal defense attorney Matt Mangino offers an expert perspective on important court decisions and other legal matters.
Trials & Tribulations: True crime lovers won’t want to miss this blog, which takes you inside the courtroom with real-time trial coverage of cases you won’t be able to turn away from.
Life at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center: Criminal defense lawyer Murray Newman reveals all behind the scenes of the Harris County courts. This insider blog offers great perspective for anyone considering a career as a criminal defense attorney.
Above the Law: This site helps law professionals stay on top of everything relevant in the industry, from commentary on legal developments to breakdowns of important people and institutions in the legal world.
Corrections blogs
Prison Culture: This long-running blog has been documenting the prison system since 2010, with a particular focus on the prison industrial complex. Its goal is to inform readers of the flaws in our corrections system and to advocate for prison and criminal justice reform.
Tales from the Local Jail: If you’re after a balanced look at the positives and negatives of jails in America, then you’ve come to the right blog. Veteran jail worker Gary Cornelius provides conversational posts with an insider’s perspective that corrects common misconceptions about jails and offers insightful commentary on the prison system.
Prison Policy Initiative: This research-driven blog is tied to the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of the same name. By sharing the results of studies and reports on the corrections system, they hope to rally for actionable change in the criminal justice system and to provide reliable research to the general public.
Correctional Nurse: RN Lorry Schoenly offers an expert perspective on everything related to nursing in correctional facilities. This extensive blog and its corresponding podcast give readers the unique perspective of what it’s like to provide high-quality care for those behind bars.
The Sentencing Project: If you need to stay in the know on recent criminal justice policy changes, there’s no better blog to follow than The Sentencing Project. They keep readers informed about advocacy opportunities, facts about the corrections system and hot-button issues, such as racial disparities in incarceration.
Texas Prison Bid’ness: Those curious about the privatization of Texas prisons won’t want to miss this blog, which covers the effects of private prisons on inmates and their families, Texans and the corrections system across the nation.
Prison Watch Network: There’s no better place to find an inside perspective on U.S. prisons. The Prison Watch Network gathers documentation directly from prisoners to tell the truth about prison conditions and related human rights issues.
Grits for Breakfast: Run by journalists and civil rights activists, this blog features anything and everything related to criminal justice in the great state of Texas. Whether you call Texas home or not, Grits for Breakfast is the place to see the big picture of criminal justice from start to finish.
Homeland security and cyber-security blogs
In Homeland Security: Expert-written articles abound on this blog dedicated to providing insights and news updates on the state of terrorism and U.S. security.
Department of Homeland Security: Go straight to the source with the official blog of the Department of Homeland Security. Here, readers will find the latest news and official updates from the government agency.
Politico: The homeland security section of this hard-hitting, nonpartisan news site promises diligent reporting on all homeland security news.
Krebs on Security: Former journalist Brian Krebs has been obsessed with cyber security since his home network was hacked in 2001. Now he uses this blog to combine his writing skills with his tech passions to help readers stay on top of the latest developments in online crime investigations, cyber-security issues and data breaches.
Schneier on Security: The chief technology officer of IBM Resilient shares his commentary on current cyber-security issues and tips to avoid being hacked.
Blogs you can count on
It’s no crime to want all the insider knowledge you can get your hands on when it comes to the criminal justice system. Now you have all the criminal justice blogs you need to stay on top of the latest in this exciting field.
If reading these blogs still doesn’t satisfy your love of all things criminal justice, it might be time to think about considering a career in the justice system. Learn more about what’s available to you with our article, “9 Careers in Criminal Justice for Degree Holders to Consider.”
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